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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of digitized signatures in certain family law |
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proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1, Family Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 1.109 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1.109. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an original petition under this title or any other |
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pleading or order in a proceeding under this title satisfies the |
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requirements for and imposes the duties of signatories to |
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pleadings, motions, and other papers identified under Rule 13, |
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Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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SECTION 2. Title 2, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subtitle E to read as follows: |
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SUBTITLE E. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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CHAPTER 47. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 47.001. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an original petition or application under this title |
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or any other pleading or order in a proceeding under this title |
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satisfies the requirements for and imposes the duties of |
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signatories to pleadings, motions, and other papers identified |
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under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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(c) In this section, "digitized signature" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 101.0096. |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 81, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 81.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 81.011. USE OF DIGITIZED SIGNATURE. (a) A digitized |
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signature on an application for a protective order under this title |
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or any other pleading or order in a proceeding under this title |
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satisfies the requirements for and imposes the duties of |
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signatories to pleadings, motions, and other papers identified |
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under Rule 13, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
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(b) A digitized signature under this section may be applied |
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only by, and must remain under the sole control of, the person whose |
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signature is represented. |
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SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a proceeding that is commenced on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. A proceeding that is commenced before that date is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding was |
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commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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